Flexible Modern Architecture: Surprising Narrow House in Japan

It is always fascinating to observe Japanese architecture in its most flexible sense. Fujiwaramuro Architects have completed the design for Narrow House, a project that seems to defy the laws of space, located in the downtown residential area of Kobe, Japan. The total area of the site of 36.95 square meters meant a good challenge for the architects, which ingeniously built living space vertically.

Despite its name, the inhabitants can enjoy their space, just like in any other horizontally-developed residence: “The slatted, drainboard-like floors on the first through third floors are connected to the slatted tables, stairwell and skylights, allowing sunlight to reach right to the bottom of the house. Three-dimensional gaps and holes in the visual field eliminate any sense of a two-dimensional spatial narrowness, or sensation of being fenced in“. Would you consider living in a home like this? Except for the lack of courtyards, we have to say we fail to see the disadvantages.